The latest chapter in Ole Miss football’s saga saw Lane Kiffin’s squad delivering a statement performance in the Gator Bowl, leaving a lasting impression beyond the scoreboard. With a decisive 52-20 victory over Duke, the Rebels made sure their absence from the College Football Playoff didn’t go unnoticed.
Kiffin, never one to shy away from expressing his thoughts, used the post-game spotlight to send a message. He emphasized how the snub from the CFP rankings fueled his team’s fire. Ole Miss, sitting just shy of the playoff spots as the No. 14-ranked team, seemed determined to prove a point.
In his interview with ESPN’s Taylor McGregor, Kiffin beamed with pride over his players’ performance. “Glad the way our guys played today,” he noted. “The quarterback played really well, the defense did. They made a statement to a committee that left them out that, ‘Hey, here’s an ACC team that won nine games,’ and came out and played extremely well. I think that was really important for them to come out and make a statement like that.”
The Rebels’ dominance was evident in every facet of the game. Jaxson Dart stole the show, racking up 404 passing yards and four touchdowns, cementing his status as a standout at Ole Miss. The offensive onslaught was complemented by a stifling defense that shackled Duke to just seven points until the closing moments of the game.
Dart, a transfer from USC, now prepares for the NFL Draft. He leaves behind a legacy as Ole Miss’ all-time leading passer, but his connection with Kiffin remains strong. Their dynamic reflects not just a coach-player relationship, but a genuine camaraderie. Kiffin couldn’t resist a playful jab regarding Dart’s tendency to call his own plays, teasing about a potential return aided by recent NCAA eligibility changes.
“I love him, except for on that last play there when he checks to a pass play he’s not supposed to do, so he’s got to learn a little bit of class there,” Kiffin quipped with a grin. “But other than that, I love this guy. He’s awesome. You never know. Nowadays, people file waivers. Maybe he’ll be back next year.”
The triumph adds another feather to Kiffin’s cap, marking Ole Miss’ third 10-win season in four years—a testament to the program’s resurgence under his guidance. While the journey hasn’t been without its bumps, the team’s cohesion and growth have been undeniable.
Reflecting on their success, Kiffin lauded his players, “They’ve come together. They played really well. They’re really neat players. They’ve won 21 games in the last two years, and we screwed a couple of them up this year. But just really proud of them and the way they played today against a really good team tonight. I think that was the best defense in the ACC.”
With this victory, Ole Miss sends a clear message to the selection committee and the broader college football landscape: the Rebels are a force to be reckoned with, and they’re just getting started.
